OBAMA'S $850 MILLION 'LIVING, BREATHING, DYNAMIC CULTURAL AND GATHERING SPACE'

Obama ridiculed over latest comments about his 'eyesore' presidential library as first pics show inside hulking monolith

 

By Rachel Bowman 

 

Daily Mail

Oct 20, 2025

 

 

 

Barack Obama is facing backlash for his $850 million presidential library in Chicago 

 

Barack Obama is facing backlash for his $850 million presidential library in Chicago that will feature a basketball court, large art installations and a museum.

Scheduled to open in 2026, the Obama Presidential Center consists of several buildings sprawled across a 19.3 acre campus within Chicago's historic Jackson Park.

The main sites at the center include a towering grey monolith-like museum building, the forum auditorium, a branch of the Chicago public library, a garden pavilion and the home court - an NBA-size basketball court.

Obama recently told The New York Times, he wanted the center to be 'a living, breathing, dynamic cultural and gathering space.'

'I'm not interested in a mausoleum, and I'm not really that interested in just, you know, a celebration of my presidency,' he said.

'I'm more interested in, how can we use this space to activate people and get them to feel inspired about making a difference in their own communities? 

However, some social media users mocked Obama for the center's design and called him out for building on a park.

'They say it’s "a new home for hope." Yet it’s built over a park that locals used to call home. Costs doubled. Promises faded. The community left out. Funny how every "living, breathing" project starts by taking someone else’s air,' one person said.

 

Internet users likened the looming, concrete and granite building to something seen in the Star Wars cinematic universe

Construction site of the Barack Obama Presidential Center seen earlier this year on August 6 

Scheduled to open in 2026, the Obama Presidential Center consists of several buildings sprawled across a 19.3 acre campus within Chicago's historic Jackson Park

 

'A "living, breathing, dynamic cultural" cement outhouse on steroids? Ugly design,' said another.

Others were excited about the building and getting a sneak peak at the interior of the massive project. 

'Sounds like a cool place for some top-tier speeches and maybe a few dad jokes. Can't wait to see how it turns out,' one person said.

'That's amazing! The Obama Presidential Center sounds like it's going to be a truly inspiring space. I love the idea of it being dynamic and welcoming to all. Can't wait to see how it contributes to the community and beyond,' a second person said. 

The eight-story museum is made of granite and stands at 225 feet tall, featuring four floors of exhibits from the Obama presidency and a Sky Room observation deck.

Large art installations will line the interior of the tower, including a including an 83-foot-tall abstract glass work collage inspired by African and American history and art history created by Julie Mehretu. 

The exterior of the museum building will feature words taken from President Obama’s speech marking the 50th anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery marches.

According to The New York Times, the building's form was inspired by the idea of four hands joining together, reaching skyward.

The forum building is a long, low space with a 299-seat auditorium, two studios for visitors to record music and podcasts, classrooms, a cafe and the foundation's offices.

 

The main sites at the center include a museum building, the forum auditorium, a branch of the Chicago public library, a garden pavilion and the home court - an NBA-size basketball court (rendering pictured)

Scheduled to open in 2026, the the towering grey monolith-like Obama Presidential Center (pictured in rendering) consists of several buildings sprawled across a 19.3 acre campus

The exterior of the museum building will feature words taken from President Obama’s speech marking the 50th anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery marches (pictured)

 

At the end of plaza is a branch of the Chicago Public Library, which will have a fruit and vegetable garden.

Internet users likened the looming, concrete and granite building to something seen in the Star Wars cinematic universe and a cartoon lair after the former president shared footage of its construction online.

An X thread making fun of the building's unusual façade was started by none other than Texas Senator Ted Cruz.

'Locating the Death Star to Chicago was a bold move,' he joked, referring to Darth Vader's space lair.

Others agreed, saying, 'This concrete eyesore, $200 million over budget and years late, screams mismanagement—just like his presidency.'

 

 

At a topping out ceremony in June 2024, former President Barack Obama signed a support beam, which featured hundreds of messages from workers that will be used to support the Sky Room, the top floor of the 225 feet tall museum building

 

 

While many people agreed they did not like the center's aesthetics, they still expressed their support for the former president.

'Much better than a ballroom!' one person said, referencing Donald Trump's ballroom renovations to the White House.

'Now, that is a Special President and wife. Giving back...love them,' said another. 'This is one place I'm determined to go to. I can't wait,' added a third.